The Power of Being Thankful

The speed of life and work keeps us moving forward to the next thing: a child graduating, a new grandchild, a new budget year, a new business disruption, a new initiative to launch, or new problem to solve. A future focused view is required for a healthy life, family, and organization.

BUT it is good in life and work to stop and remember. The pause is good to give us perspective on where we are going and to remind us of the blessings of God. The past four years, our team has seen some amazing results with continued year over year growth. Our fiscal year ends September 30, and four years ago we made the decision to use our November division meeting to stop and remember. The stories of God’s hand of blessing, favor, intervention, redemption, and rescue cause us to be thankful. It has been an essential reminder of God’s work in and through us.

When my daughters were young and they would argue with each other, I made them go to their rooms and not come out until they could name ten reasons why they were thankful for their sister. They didn’t like the punishment but it always turned them back into best friends (which they still are today!).

I challenge you to stop and make a list of the things you are thankful for. Stop and remember the hand of God in your life and work this past year. Lead your team and your family to do the same. Getting a fresh perspective can make all the difference.

A few things I am thankful for this year:

The honor of leading the B&H Publishing team—an amazing team of gifted and committed employees that are the best in the industry

The blessing of serving on the Executive Leadership Team of LifeWay

My church and my pastor

Two new grandchildren, Abby and Caleb

A summer day spent with my eighty-nine-year-old Dad

The joy of seeing my daughters as Moms

Riding bikes with Rodney

Doing a marriage event with our church in Brussels, Belgium

A new love for the people of India, and the pastor and people of Baptist Hyderabad, India.

Skyping with my grandson, Josiah, in Bangkok, Thailand—reading books together, singing songs, and just sharing life together

“Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory.” (2 Cor. 4:15 HCSB)

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About Selma

Selma Wilson is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an advocate for moms, a cheerleader for marriages, a lover of Jesus, a family and marriage counselor/speaker, and the Chief People Officer at LifeWay Christian Resources. Read more about Selma.